FORT PORTAL CITY, July 1, 2026 — Coffee farmers in Tooro Kingdom have resolved to form a cooperative union aimed at increasing production, strengthening bargaining power and improving collective access to markets.
The farmers, inspired by the King Oyo Demonstration Farm, have been actively engaged in coffee production but have largely operated individually, limiting their ability to secure better market opportunities.
The newly established outfit, named the Tooro Coffee Cooperative Union, is envisioned as a strategic platform to enhance farmers’ negotiating power, improve market access and raise household incomes among coffee-growing communities.
During a recent meeting held recently at Kalya Courts Hotel in Fort Portal City, farmers and stakeholders — including religious leaders, coffee traders and other actors in the coffee value chain from Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa and Bunyangabo districts — agreed to unite under the cooperative structure and appointed interim leaders to steer the process until formal registration is completed.
Prominent coffee farmer Happy Tusingwire from Bunyangabo district was appointed Interim Chairperson of the union and tasked with providing leadership during the establishment phase.
“The union will also make it easier to identify and organise coffee farmers across the region. I encourage more farmers to join the coffee value chain and benefit from the opportunities within the sector,” Tusingwire said during her acceptance speech.
Caroline Matsiko, the Interim Treasurer from Kamwenge district, said women and young people have historically been marginalised in coffee marketing despite contributing significantly to production, adding that the cooperative presents new opportunities for inclusion.
“Limited access to finance and land has discouraged many young people and women from engaging in coffee farming, but with the establishment of the union, we hope these groups will gain access to funding and support to participate more actively in the sector,” she said.
Patrick Kiiza from the Uganda Cooperative Alliance said the cooperative would help farmers address challenges associated with fragmented production and marketing.
“Through collective marketing, farmers will be able to attract large-volume buyers, reduce exploitation by middlemen, and improve both the quality and value of their coffee,” he said.
Kiiza added that the union would also improve access to financial services, extension support and government programmes intended to boost coffee production.
Ronald Mutegeki, Deputy Minister for Information in Tooro Kingdom, urged the interim leadership to serve with integrity, commitment and transparency in order to build a sustainable institution capable of effectively supporting farmers.
“Tooro Kingdom remains committed to promoting coffee growing through the Tooro Kingdom Youth Empowerment Project, under which young people are being supported with coffee seedlings for planting,” Mutegeki said.
Most of the farmers joining the cooperative benefited from the King Oyo Demonstration Farm, an initiative established by the kingdom to promote modern coffee farming practices.
The demonstration farm receives technical guidance from the National Coffee Resources Research Institute [NACORRI], provides farmers with coffee seedlings, extension services and other forms of agricultural support.
Leaders said the formation of the cooperative is also expected to strengthen the Tooro Kingdom’s efforts to demonstrate the impact of its community empowerment programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods across the region.
https://thecooperator.news/bunyoro-and-tooro-sugarcane-farmers-unite-to-boost-bargaining-power/
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